MHS Graduate qualifies for NCAA D-II wrestling tournament

Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009

A former Madison wrestler will be putting his skills to the test later this month at the NCAA Division II Wrestling tournament. Phillip Downs qualified for nationals this last weekend as a member of Northern State University's wrestling team.

A junior for the Wolves, Downs placed fourth in the 157-pound weight class at the NCAA Super Regional in Marshall, Minnesota. But it wasn't easy.

Downs lost his first round match to Tim Matheson of Minnesota State by a 9-5 decision, then defeated Shane Primeau of Mary 12-6, and Marcus Edgington of Augustana 8-4 in the consolation rounds. He was then pinned by Tad Merritt of St. Cloud State in the third place match and had to wrestle a true fourth match with Brett Hakeman of Upper Iowa, the fifth place winner. In that match, Downs won 3-2 to advance to the NCAA Championships.

Downs says while making the tournament was great, it was tempered by the fact that several of his fellow Wolves didn't make it.

Saturdays matches made up almost a third of Downs' season, as he was ill with Mono this season and also suffered a separated shoulder a few weeks ago. He says it was a real struggle to get back into shape for the tournament.

Downs was one of three wrestlers to qualify from the Aberdeen school. He and teammates Corbin Surat and Jared Little will compete at the NCAA Division II national tournament, which takes place March 13-14 in Houston, Texas.